The ITV pundit, who lifted seven titles and the Champions League under Fergie, said: “People said [Ferguson] always had the best interests of Manchester United at heart. Darren Ferguson [his son] won a medal. He was very lucky.

'[Alex Ferguson's] brother was the chief scout for Manchester United for a long time. I'm surprised his wife wasn't involved in the staff somewhere.”

Keane, who fell out with Ferguson before leaving United in 2005, attacked the Scot on the OffTheBall.com podcast.

Things ended badly between Keane and Ferguson at Old Trafford (Image: PA)

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“There's going to be a bit of argy-bargy but I'm sure there are people here working in industries where things get heated.

"I didn't leave the office that day thinking this was the end of my career at Manchester United, but if you think I'm going to sit there, I don't care if its Alex Ferguson or the Pope ... I'm going to fight my corner.

"Ferguson came out afterwards and said he always did what was best by Manchester United. Nonsense.”